Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors Policy

Under the Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors policy, children between 5 and 11 years of age can travel unaccompanied if:

  • They are using the Unaccompanied Minors service, or
  • They are traveling with a passenger who is at least 12 years old

The Unaccompanied Minors service is optional for children between 12 and 17 who are traveling alone. This means they can choose to travel alone, or as unaccompanied minors after booking the special service.

How to Book the Unaccompanied Minors Service with Lufthansa

You can book the Unaccompanied Minors service:

  • By calling a Lufthansa Service Center  
  • Through your travel agency

Lufthansa does not accept online reservations for Unaccompanied Minors.

Important Travel Documents and Special Service Form 

You (i.e., the parent or adult guardian) must be ready with the following documentation/information: 

  • Passport or ID card with age (mandatory)
  • The duly completed special service form (mandatory)
  • Destination country’s visa (if required) 
  • Travel insurance certificate (if required)
  • Details regarding allergies (if any)
  • Pre-paid receipt for the special service (if applicable)
  • Consent declaration that the child will be traveling unaccompanied

Remember

  • To save time, print out the 2-page special service form at home, fill it out, and make 3 copies of it—one for yourself, one for your child to carry in the small yellow bag provided by Lufthansa at check-in, and one for Lufthansa—and bring it to the airport.
  • Tickets for Unaccompanied Minors cannot be booked online, but only through:
    • A Lufthansa Service Center  
    • Your travel agency
  • The baggage allowance (carry-on baggage and checked baggage) for Unaccompanied Minors is the same as that permitted for adults. However, the child should be able to carry the luggage without any assistance. 

Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors Fee 

The Unaccompanied Minors fee, i.e., the service fee charged by Lufthansa for unaccompanied minors—in addition to the price of the flight ticket per route per child—ranges from USD 95/EUR 85 to USD 170/EUR 150, as shown below.

Route Fee 
Europe incl. flights between CH, DE, and ATUSD 95/EUR 85
North Africa and the Levant, incl. TM, KZ, IQ, EK, IL, and LBUSD 105/EUR 95
Central Africa, Middle East, and the Arab region, incl. KW, OM, BH, ET, SA, NG, IR, QA, and AEUSD 130/EUR 115
Medium-haul intercontinental flights, incl. CA East Coast, U.S. East Coast, MV, AO, TZ, KE, GQ, and INUSD 140/EUR 125
Long-haul intercontinental flights, incl. CA West Coast, U.S. West Coast, South America, SC, ZA, SG, TH, KR, CN, and JPUSD 170/EUR 150

How to Refund Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors Fee

The service fee for Unaccompanied Minors cannot be refunded online. If you want a refund, contact a Lufthansa Service Center in your area.

Guidelines for Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors

To ensure a smooth journey, the Unaccompanied Minor’s parent or guardian must follow the guidelines below.

At the Airport (Drop-off Location)

  • Reach the airport early.
    • Refer to Lufthansa’s check-in and bag drop-off deadlines. 
    • Allow enough buffer time for parking, getting a pass, 
  • Collect the small yellow Lufthansa bag that the Unaccompanied Minor must keep fully visible with them during the entire journey. The yellow bag contains the following travel documents:
    • Passport or ID card with age (mandatory)
    • The duly completed special service form (mandatory)
    • Destination country’s visa (if required) 
    • Travel insurance certificate (if required)
    • Details regarding allergies (if any)
    • Pre-paid receipt for the special service (if applicable)
    • Consent declaration by parent or legal guardian authorizing the child to travel unaccompanied
  • Be sure to carry your valid ID. 
  • If accompanying an Unaccompanied Minor to the airport:
    • You must be at least 18 years old.
    • You must remain at the airport and be contactable by phone until the flight departs. 
  • Go to Lufthansa’s check-in counter (at some airports you may have to accompany your child to the gate). 
  • Check in with a Lufthansa staff member at the gate and tell them you are dropping off an Unaccompanied Minor.
  • Inform the parent or guardian who will pick up the Unaccompanied Minor that the flight has taken off. 

During the Flight 

  • Lufthansa’s flight attendants will welcome the Unaccompanied Minor. 
  • Lufthansa’s flight attendant will check on the Unaccompanied Minor from time to time.
  • The Unaccompanied Minor will be seated close to the flight attendants. 
  • The parent or guardian who will pick up the Unaccompanied Minor must be available to answer phone calls during the flight (in case there’s any flight irregularity).
  • If the Unaccompanied Minor has to transfer, they will be met by a staff member and taken to the connecting flight’s departure gate. 

At the Destination (Pick up Location) 

  • Reach the airport early after referring to Lufthansa’s check-in and bag drop-off deadlines. 
  • Collect a pass from Lufthansa’s ticket counter to go through the security checkpoint. 
  • Carry a valid ID for meeting the Unaccompanied Minor child at the gate.
  • Reach the gate well before the flight’s arrival time. 
  • The Unaccompanied Minor will be escorted from the plane and to meet the designated parent or guardian.
  • Call the parent or guardian at the drop off city and tell them that you have picked up the Unaccompanied Minor.

Country-specific Regulations for Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors

Some countries (Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico) have added regulations for Unaccompanied Minors and children traveling with guardians, so do find out in advance what these regulations are. You may also need to comply with the health advice for some destinations—such as vaccinations and medicine requirements.

  • Italy. Under-14 children traveling out of Italy:
  • Must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
  • Must carry a passport.
  • Must carry a sworn and signed statement by both parents/legal guardian. The statement must include the airline’s name in which the child is traveling and it must be authenticated by the local police headquarters. 
  • Brazil. If your child is traveling alone or with only 1 parent, the child must carry a birth certificate, a notarized travel authorization from both parents (authenticated by the Brazilian embassy/consulate). For details, refer to the guidelines of the Brazilian National Council of Justice (CNJ).
  • Spain. If your child is studying abroad, fill out the Descargo de Responsabilidad Obligatorio and ask the school to sign and stamp it, especially if your child is departing from Boston or London.
  • Mexico. Minors traveling alone to/from Mexico, or accompanied by a non-parent or non-legal guardian, must carry a document—either signed by both parents or by the parent with legal custody or guardianship—before a recognized authority or notary attesting that the child can leave the country. If the document is issued abroad, it must be apostilled or authorized and translated if it is not in Spanish. If traveling to/from Spain, the local police there can provide a document of authorization for such cases.

To book the Unaccompanied Minor service by phone, call now.


Frequently Asked Questions on Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors Policy

What are the age restrictions for Unaccompanied Minors on Lufthansa?

Yes, there are. Children below 5 are not accepted on Lufthansa unless they are accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. Children between 5–11 (inclusive) travelling alone are considered Unaccompanied Minors and the Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory for them—unless they are accompanied by a passenger who is at least 12 years old. For children between 12–17 years, the Unaccompanied Minor service is optional. However, if they travel alone without booking the service, they will not be entitled to any special service privileges. 

Is the Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors service available for connecting flights?

No, Lufthansa’s Unaccompanied Minors service is not available for connecting flights as of now.

Element #Can I book Unaccompanied Minor flights on Lufthansa online?

The Unaccompanied Minor service cannot be booked online at Lufthansa. You can either book it by phone or through a ticket center. Plus, you must make advance arrangements by providing proper documentation.

To book the Unaccompanied Minor service by phone, call . This number is toll-free in the United States and Canada, and open 24/7.

How much does Lufthansa charge for Unaccompanied Minors?

The Unaccompanied Minor service charges at Lufthansa per route per child range from USD 95/EUR 85 (within Europe) to USD 140/EUR125 (U.S./medium-haul intercontinental routes) and 170/EUR 150 (long-haul intercontinental routes). This is in addition to the price of the ticket.

How can I book the Unaccompanied Minor service on Lufthansa?

You can book Unaccompanied Minor flights on Lufthansa by phone (i.e., by calling Lufthansa or your travel agent) or through a ticket center. Lufthansa does not accept reservations for Unaccompanied Minors online. You can call to book now.

What is the Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors policy in a nutshell?

Under the Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors policy, the service is mandatory for children between 5–11 years (inclusive) travelling alone. The service is optional for children between 12–17. This means they can choose to travel alone, or as unaccompanied minors after booking the special service.

Children below 5 are not allowed to travel alone on Lufthansa—they must be accompanied by a parent or adult passenger who is at least 18 years old. Also, the Unaccompanied Minor service must be booked by phone or through a ticket center, i.e., it cannot be booked online. However, the ticket bookings can be made online.  
Lufthansa does not provide the Unaccompanied Minors service on trips that include connecting flights. 

What documents am I required to carry when accompanying my child to the airport?

When accompanying your child to the airport, you (i.e., the parent or adult legal guardian) bring the following documents with you:

• A valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport 
• Address proof as it appears on the ID
• Name, current address, and phone number of the person who will meet your child at the destination airport

Aside from this, the following documents must be also be carried:

• Passport or ID card with age (mandatory)
• The duly completed special service form (mandatory)
• Destination country’s visa (if required) 
• Travel insurance certificate (if required)
• Details regarding allergies (if any)
• Pre-paid receipt for the special service (if applicable)
• Consent declaration that the child will be traveling unaccompanied

When should I book the Unaccompanied Minor service on Lufthansa Airlines?

You should book the Unaccompanied Minor service on Lufthansa at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure. Although this is not mandatory, it will ensure that your paperwork is in order.

Is it mandatory to book the Unaccompanied Minor service for children between 12–17 years old?

No, it isn’t mandatory to book the Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minors service for children between 12–17 years of age. The service is optional for them. However, if you book the service, you will have to pay for it.

Does Lufthansa allow flight transfers for Unaccompanied Minors?

Unaccompanied Minors between 5–11 years are not accepted on connecting flights.

Can I escort my child to the aircraft?

No, you will have to see off your child in the terminal area because only passengers are allowed beyond the gate. You will, however, be asked to remain there until your child’s flight takes off.

Will my child be helped to catch a connecting flight on Lufthansa?

Unfortunately, Lufthansa does accept Unaccompanied Minors on trips that include connecting flights. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *